Chelsea
boss Antonio Conte insists Eden Hazard will need time to regain full match
fitness following the Belgian's international return from injury.
Hazard underwent ankle surgery during the summer and made his first club
appearance of the season as a late substitute against Leicester, having
featured from the bench in both of Belgium's recent World Cup qualifying
matches.
The 26-year-old played the final 12 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 win at the
King Power Stadium helping the defending champions move to nine points from
their opening four games, and within one of table-toppers Manchester United
and Manchester City.
"This is good news for us," said Conte after his side's third straight
Premier League victory. "For sure he needs time to be 100 per cent but for
us his recovery is very important."
Chelsea are in action again on Tuesday night at home to Qarabag in and
Hazard could get another run-out in the Champions League group game.
"We all know very well the importance of (Hazard) for us," Conte added. "Now
we must have patience to give him the possibility to improve his form, but I
am pleased for him because after a bad injury it's great to see him with
us," said Conte.
Chelsea will meet Arsenal in the Premier League next Sunday at Stamford
Bridge, live on
Sky Sports Premier League HD, with the Blues
looking for their sixth successive home victory over Arsene Wenger's side.
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